Who Is D'ondrae?

The Seed:

As a business owner of nearly 35 years, I’ve learned that entrepreneurship is about problem-solving and managing the process in doing so. The difference is that, as an entrepreneur, you’re doing it for your own company, whereas a good manager can do it for any company. Successful companies always have both, even if it’s the same person.

The Root:

Although I’ve been an entrepreneur for many years, half of those years I also held day jobs, which were primarily management positions where I was able to hone my skills. My early management experience began on my very first job, when I was 19 years old, and I was unofficially managing 15 people. Over the years since then, I realized that management doesn’t always have to have the solution; they only have to be able to deliver it.

The Growth:

It wasn’t until after I moved to Los Angeles in July 1994, that I got the opportunity to realize that my experience translated across several industries. Shortly after landing in LA, I assisted in the development of an independent record label and co-managed a 3-day music festival of 15 thousand people. Several years later, I went on to co-produce over 50 upscale live entertainment events, managed a restaurant, co-managed and developed a local beauty brand, mentored a host of new entrepreneurs, and produced my own networking concert series over the span of 5 years. Each endeavor produced relative success despite having no previous experience in either field. Simply put, they were all businesses and although I didn’t know it at the time, I was in my comfort zone.

The Fruit:

Over the course of my journey, I realized that what all my business associates had in common is that even though they had help in some areas, they were primarily running their businesses alone. Eventually, I found myself more excited about teaching business versus instructing. Finally, I discovered what I had to offer and where I fit in. Once the message was clear, I began focusing my interest in developing the person more so than the business. In order to run a successful business, an individual needs to develop a default mindset that enables them to get things done regardless of where the solution comes from. It was then that I started to enjoy the idea of what I now call Entrepreneur Development.

The Harvest:

I created LA BizGuy to provide a platform for Solopreneurs to access the support and guidance they need to navigate through the unpredictable elements of being self-employed. The consensus is that, no matter how talented you are or how great your product or service is, you’re minimizing your chances of sustained success by attempting to go it alone. With that said, as a small business, hiring a consultant can be expensive, and bringing on a partner at this stage of your business can be risky.

After years of building valuable relationships, I’ve constructed this hub of experienced entrepreneurs boasting a wealth of knowledge and a host of resources, giving subscribers the confidence they need by knowing they’re not alone.